Orbetello faces the promontory of Argentario in such a special position that it was attributed various names in the course of times.

One of these names, for example, is Cittą Anadiomene, recalling goddess of love coming out from the water.
Others compared it to a bow of a ship ready to plough the waters of the homonymous lagoon.
In any case, Orbetello appears to be an evocative and unique environment, surrounded by a lagoon and connected with Argentario by a thin stripe of ground, la diga (dam), constructed during the Grand Duchy of Toscana in the years 1841-1842.

Sand-and-gravel bar of Feniglia (eastern) and the one of Giannella (western) create the only natural connection from the mainland to the promontory.
The town, thanks to its geographical position in the middle of the calm lagoon, was always of a valuable shelter for the navigators who were thus protected from the south-west wind.
For this reason, the place became of great commercial importance during the Etruscan period; the ships that made business with Kaletra, with the centres of Valle dell'Albegna and with Vulci, remained protected in Orbetello, sheltered from winds and strong streams.

The archaeological findings of silica and the human bones have revealed that the human settlement of this area dates back to the Neolithic period. While other protovilanovian cinerary urns have demonstrated a settlement in a period when there was spread of the burial rite that permitted the sailors-merchants to transfer the mortal remains of their dead fellows to their homeland. Moreover, the recent excavations have documented the Etruscan foundation dating back to VII century b.c.

Many different people possessed Orbetello, during the centuries: from Romans to barbarians and from the Republic of Siena to the Spaniards. In 1557, the State of Royal Garissons of Spain was built. This included within its borders Porto Ercole, Porto Santo Stefano, Talamone and Longone of the Island of Elba. In the period between 1557 and 1707, Orbetello became the capital of the Royal Garrisons and experienced a boom.

Certainly worth visiting is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built probably on the ruins of a previous temple of V century b.c. dedicated to Giove. Another church of particular value is the Church of St. Francesco of Paola and Madonna delle Grazie. Another interesting thing to see is Mulino Spagnolo (Spanish Mill), which is situated at the beginning of the dam that connects the town with Argentario.
The entire zone is distinguished by Etruscan towns and charming medieval villages preserved in their natural conditions.

When visiting the zone you don't want to miss the findings of Albinia that excavated wine amphora's and demonstrated a great wine market between Maremma and France; boarding Albinia-Argentario, arriving Marsiglia; up to Loira and then through France. Two furnaces found in the zone testify the real wine industry.

Per quello che riguarda la cucina locale, molto apprezzati sono i filetti di cefalo, gli Spaghetti alla bottarga (uova di tonno o muggine seccate e grattuggiate sulla pasta) e le Anguille sfumate (trattate con sale, aceto, conserva e peperoncino). The appreciable local kitchen offers fish specialities like fileti di cefalo (fillet steak of grey mullet), Spaghetti alla botarga (eggs of tuna or mullet dried and grated on pasta) and Anguille sfumate (the Eels vanished, treated with salt, vinegar, paprika).

For meat lovers it is possible to taste all of the typical products of Maremma accompanied with excellent white wines and great red.

Some dates above were obtained from following web sites:
www.etruriaonline.com
http://cultura-italiana.it